Could Minnesota be feeling the “American Idol” love in the new year? If a commercial touting the show’s upcoming 10th season is any indication, the answer is yes. The commercial features footage of Maplewood singer Matt Sato auditioning in front of judges Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler. And J. Lo seems pretty smitten with 20-year-old Sato.

Sato appears about a third of the way through the 30-second clip, which is airing on Fox and even popped up during this week’s episode of “Glee.” He tells the judges, “My knees are shaking.” J. Lo replies, “That’s OK, baby, because I liked you. There’s no reason for you to be shaking. We want you to be great.”

That sounds like a pass to Hollywood Week. In an e-mail, Sato said he couldn’t say anything about his “Idol” journey other than to confirm he did audition in Milwaukee for Season 10. Since Hollywood Week is rumored to be taping this week, it’s likely Sato’s one of the lucky ones who is singing his heart out during this grueling round of auditions. But we’ll have to wait until next month or possibly February to find out his fate.

The former member of North St. Paul High School’s Northern Lights show choir is no stranger to “Idol.” He’s tried out a couple of times in the past, including impressing tough judge Simon Cowell during auditions at in Minneapolis four years ago. After singing “California Dreamin’,” Cowell praised Sato and said, “You’ve got something, Matt.” Sato went onto Hollywood Week during Season 6 and earned airtime that included a tearful phone call to his mom. He eventually got the boot after forgetting the words to a song during a group performance.

— Amy Carlson Gustafson

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